Aldine ISD FACE Department Wraps Up School Year Celebrating Community Partnerships

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After the Partners of Excellence meeting on May 17, Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney had everyone gather for a group picture alongside FACE Department staff and several Executive Leadership Team members.

Aldine ISD’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department is closing the school year by celebrating the impact of faith-based leaders, community partners, and mentors who have dedicated time, energy, and resources to support Aldine students and families.

Over the past month, FACE hosted three end-of-year gatherings to highlight community engagement and deepen connections between schools and the broader community.

Community Partners Meeting – April 22

At the district’s final Community Partners Meeting of the school year, Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) shared updates on district priorities, including academic achievement, optimization efforts, student attendance, discipline, and intervention strategies.

Several partners highlighted their involvement with Aldine ISD during the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to student success. Their dedication and support have made a significant impact on our students and their families. Bernice McKenzie from Bridging for Tomorrow, Candis Houston of Aldine-American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Emily Erreguin of East Aldine Management District, Richard Gómez from Lakeshore Learning, Charlena LaBome of Buckner International, Rocio Witte and Rosalva Hernández of BakerRipley, and Lone Star College–Houston North President Dr. Quentin Wright all spoke on the impact of their partnerships and explored new ways to align efforts to support student success.

Aldine’s external partners contributed over 13,000 volunteer hours to the district this school year.

The AISD Community Partners group is a collective of outside organizations that come together to provide support through larger community events.

Partners of Excellence: Faith-Based Leaders – May 13

The year’s final Partners of Excellence meeting brought together pastors and faith leaders, bridging the gap between churches and Aldine schools. The group, which meets three times a year, heard district updates from Goffney and the ELT and shared how their churches build trust, strengthen relationships, and support student well-being.

Three faith-based partners shared detailed accounts of their school partnerships:

• Loving Houston Executive Director Brittani Davis highlighted the organization’s goal to connect every school in Greater Houston with a committed church partner. Currently, 10 Aldine campuses are paired with churches, supported by 2,245 volunteer hours — valued at over $75,000 — and 65 prayer partners.
• Pastor Raheem Turane of Grow Church Ministries spoke about the church’s support of Francis Elementary, Plummer Middle School, and Grantham Academy, emphasizing the importance of equipping students academically and emotionally.
• Jill Charney of HOPE Worldwide/SPARK Academy described how nearly 40 volunteers provided weekend support to students at Caraway Elementary and Anderson Academy across eight Saturdays this year, helping 46 students develop stress management skills and strong character.

The meeting underscored the district’s commitment to deepening relationships with faith-based leaders directly impacting school communities.

The AISD Partners of Excellence group was created to allow an opportunity for faith based leaders within the district to be able to provide support and assistance to the students and their families. They meet several times a year, and focus on initiatives that provide support to the students through their campuses.

Lighthouse Mentorship End-of-Year Celebration – May 22

The Lighthouse Mentorship Program has been a resounding success, celebrating the growth and development of 25 students from Anderson Academy, Francis Elementary, and Grantham Academy on May 22. Each student has been paired with a district leader mentor who has guided them throughout the school year, inspiring hope and a brighter future.

The program focused on third-, fifth-, and eighth-grade students, emphasizing building relationships and offering social and emotional support. Mentors used the lighthouse metaphor — providing guidance, knowledge, and hope — to help students navigate academic and personal challenges.

One of the program’s guiding quotes, often shared by mentors, comes from Denzel Washington: “Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life … a mentor.”

The May 22 celebration will be a tribute to the dedication of the mentors, families, principals, and counselors who helped make the program successful. Their unwavering commitment to the students’ growth and well-being, including Grantham Academy’s Iris Guevara, Francis Elementary’s Kim Tunson, and Anderson Academy’s Cherella Jackson, is truly commendable and deeply appreciated.

Become a Partner or Mentor — Transform Students’ Lives

The AISD Community Partners, Partners of Excellence, and the Lighthouse Mentorship volunteers meet several times throughout the school year. If you would like to be informed about the various opportunities FACE offers to become involved in AISD schools and students, or would like more information on how to join, click here.